The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-26
FL0RIDA'S CAPITAL CITY.
ROUTINE BUSINESS PUSHED FOR
WARD RAPIDLY.

The Railroad Bill to Pass-Many Other
Important Measures That Have Gone
Through the MISUNDERSTANDING the
Okeechokee Draining Company.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, May 25-The Sen
ate to-day, by vote of 81 to 4, passed the
House railroad commission bill with an
amendment providing for an appeal from
the decisions of the Commissioners to the
board of revisors, composed of the Comp
roller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Sec
rotary of State and the Commissioner of
Agriculture The bill will be sent to the
House tomorrow for the ratification of the
Senate amendments. Then it goes to the
Governor for his consideration. The Senate
passed to third reading the bill appropria-
ting 81 500 for the Agricultural College at
Lake City. The bill for the encouragement
of sugar raising in Florida was indefinitely
postponed.
The Senate considered the bill directing
the Attorney General to take steps to have
the land grants not carried out by the rail-
roads declared forfeited, SO that the State
can convey the land to actual settlers and
others, but no final action was taken.
INVESTIGATING DIssToN's WORK
A joint committee from the Senate and
House are now investigating the territory
in the vicinity of Kissimmee, included in
the district claimed to have been drained by
the Okeechobee company.
BILLS PASSED.
The House passed the bills legaliZing the
town government of Barlow, regulating the
sale of seed cotton, establishing criminal
courts of record in the counties of Orange
and Escambia, Incorporating business col
lege at White Springs, Columbia county
and providing that county seats shall be at
least five miles from the boundary line of
the county, so as to be near the CENTRE also
bill for the Incorporation of building and
loan associations. The poll tax prerequisite
bill was indefinitely postponed in the House
by a vote of So to %. This finally settles
this matter in this State as to making pay
ment of TIE poll tax qualification for
voting.
NEW APPoRTIoNMENT
A bill making the apportionment of the
representation in several counties was in
troduced in the House. One representation
is allowed from each county, but no county
is given more than three, instead of four, as
heretofore The counties of Duval, Leon
jefferson, jackson and Sumter lose one
each, and Marion gains one; one Senatorial
district from West Florida is transferred to
South Florida and each of the newly made
counties is added to other Senatorial dis
tricts so as to make the number of Senators
the same as now-thirty-two. This allot-
ment will be violently assailed by the coun-
ties demanding larger representation, and
much discussion and wrangling is expected
over this measure.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
The Senate to-day confirmed NJ r. Cooper,
County Judge for st. Johns county; Richard
Ma(ta T,,1 NJ
ty, and Jacob Kogger, l.. NJ. Merrett and
John Mooney, Commissioners of Pilotage at
the port of Pensacola.
1t is rumored tonight that Gen. Finley
will be appointed Judge of the Fifth circuit
this week
SOUTH FLORIDA WELL REPRESENTED.
The new Speaker, Mr.. George H. Browne,
of Orange, has had some experience while
presiding at different periods of the session.
He is rapidly learning the arts necessary in
a presiding officer, and his rulings so far
have given entire satisfaction.
South Florida now has the presiding off
GERS of both the House and Senate.
Gov. Mabry, of Sumter, is a model Presi-
dent of the. Senate.
1t is noticeable that many of the measures
of great import have not been considered al
all, and as the end of the session approaches
it becomes evident that the bills needing
most thoughtful consideration will be passed
without care or ceremony.
AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS
Senator Pasco has expressed his determi.
nation to address himself to acquiring infor-
nation as to the needs of the people of the
State in their relations with the Federal
government, that he may more effectually
and acceptably serve them when he reaches
Washington. To this end he will visit the
different sections of the State to inquire
into their demands, and he viii take par
icular care to acquaint himself with the his
tory and conditions of the claims of the
State of Florida held against the general
government.
The commercial necessities of the State il
the matter of coast and harbor improve
ments will receive his special attention.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
Mason S. Moreno, to be Collector of Reve
aue of Monroe county.
John G.. Calhoun, to be Clerk of the Cir
,uit Court of Taylor county.
]. ]. Gornto, TO be County Judge of Tay
or county.
John M. jenkins, to be Assessor of Take.
'or Taylor county.
w. A Giles, to be County Judge o
Wakulla county.
John c. Douglass, to be Collector of Reve
iue for Walton county.
MORE THAN 1o5 YEARS OLD.